David Scott

The limb of the Earth

Gemini VIII, March 16-17, 1966

Unreleased photograph, vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA S-66-25771” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

NASA SP-171, p. 154.

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Lot Essay

This amazing photograph of Earth’s limb with cloud layers in silhouette was taken by Scott with the Hasselblad 500C while Armstrong piloted the spacecraft, chasing the Agena Target Docking Vehicle (ATDA). The Sun was rising over Guam. This was the only photograph of the Earth taken during the mission (other than photographs of the ATDA) as the mission was terminated early.

“The photo was taken during the second sunrise for Gemini VIII. I had hastily unstowed the camera and was anxious to make sure it functioned properly.... I was in hopes of capturing the magnificence of the scene, particularly the airglow and thunderheads. Unfortunately, the true fidelity of the view was not recorded by the camera.”
David Scott (NASA SP-171, p. 154)